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Assisted Living in Ohio

Ohio has stable growth, compared with other states, but its seniors' share of the population has been increasing for many years. More than 17% of Ohio's 11.7 million residents are seniors aged 65 and over, according to the U.S. Census, with that fraction expected to rise through the 2020s. The relatively senior-friendly tax system Ohio offers may be part of the reason why. Social Security pensions are fully exempt from Ohio's 2.85% income tax, while income from private pensions is only partly taxed by the state. Property and sales taxes in Ohio are somewhat higher than the national average, though some seniors are able to get a tax rebate for some of their home-related expenses.

The cost of living in Ohio is almost 18% below the national average for common household expenses, and seniors in the state can expect to pay up to 13% less for health services than the national average. The average monthly cost for assisted living facilities in Ohio runs to $4,339, according to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey, which places the national average for similar senior care at $4,051 a month.

This guide is written for seniors and their loved ones, who are looking for affordable senior living in Ohio. Its goal is to outline the most likely costs seniors face when searching for high-quality assisted living, as well as to identify free resources seniors can use to help pay for care.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Ohio



The state of Ohio has a SeniorScore of 74% from SeniorAdvice. This is slightly above the national score of 72%. Factors that go into Ohio's higher-than-average score include safety, cost, finances and the overall quality of life for seniors.



SeniorScore™ for Ohio



The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.

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SeniorScore™ Overview

  • Ohio's SeniorScore™ of 74 is higher than the national average of 72.
66

Health & Safety

  • Ohio has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
  • Ohio has a high number of hospitals within the state.
  • Ohio has a high number of senior living facilities within the state.
  • Ohio has a very high number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
  • The average life expectancy in Ohio is 77.8, compared to the national average of 78.6.
  • Ohio has a high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
  • Ohio has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
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Recreation & Leisure

  • 27% of the population in Ohio are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
  • Ohio has 735 golf courses in the state.
  • Ohio has an average number of municipal parks throughout the state.
  • Ohio has 4,860 churches in the state.
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Finances

  • The property taxes average 3.22% of total income in Ohio, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.79%.
  • The property taxes average 1.44% of property value in Ohio, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.09%.
  • The average sales tax in Ohio is 6.88%, which is lower than the national average of 6.97%.
  • The average state income tax in Ohio is 2.51%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.38%.
  • The mean household income in Ohio is $63,858, which is lower than the national average of $64,580.
  • Ohio's median household income is $50,652, which is lower than the national average of $51,560.
  • The average per capita income in Ohio is $25,656, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
  • Assisted living costs in Ohio average $47,131 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $42,700.
  • Nursing home costs in Ohio average $86,000 per year, which are lower than the national average of $92,481.
  • Costs for adult daycare in Ohio average $15,536 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $17,931.
  • Costs for home healthcare in Ohio average $43,362 per year, which are lower than the national average of $46,197.
  • The unemployment rate is about 9.49% in Ohio, which is significantly higher than then national rate of 8.26%.
  • The overall cost of living in Ohio is low compared to national averages.
  • 0.84% of the senior population in Ohio are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
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General Quality of Life

  • Ohio receives an average of 38.1 inches of rain per year.
  • Ohio has an average annual temperature of 50.4 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Ohio has an average low temperature of 39.5 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Ohio has an average high temperature of 60.2 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Ohio has an average population density of 814 people per square mile.
  • Ohio has an average public school quality ranking.
  • Ohio has an average public school safety ranking.
  • Ohio has an average graduation rate of 87.74%.

Ohio has a relatively temperate climate for the Midwest, which is one of the factors that determines the senior quality of life. Snowy winters in the state are offset by very mild winters, especially close to the lakeshore, where temperatures stay stable for most of the year.

Ohio also scores highly for its positive health and safety standards. The state has more health providers per person than average and an unusually large number of hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic and Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Active seniors have a lot to do in Ohio. The state has around 735 churches and nearly 4,900 golf courses, as well as countless nonprofits and other institutions where seniors can volunteer their time for the community.



Top Assisted Living Facilities in Ohio



Parkside Villa - Middleburg Heights, OH

Parkside Villa

7040 Hepburn Rd

Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

1-855-238-4376

23 Reviews  

Parkside Villa is a 165 unit senior housing community located nearby the Riverside area of Middleburg Heights, Ohio. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-family income of $47,300. With roughly 52,000 people ...

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The Cost of Assisted Living in Ohio



Assisted living in Ohio costs an average of $4,339 a month. This is $288 more than the national average cost of $4,051. Seniors in adjacent states generally pay less for assisted living than the average senior in Ohio. Pennsylvania seniors pay an average of $3,913 a month for assisted living, while seniors in Michigan pay slightly more, at $4,000. Indiana assisted living averages $4,100 a month for many seniors, while West Virginia offers some of the most affordable senior living in the region, at $3,750 a month for assisted living.

  • Ohio: $4,339
  • United States Average: $4,051
  • Pennsylvania: $3,913
  • West Virginia: $3,750
  • Indiana: $4,100
  • Michigan: $4,000

The Cost of Assisted Living in Ohio's Top Cities

Ohio's top cities vary widely in the monthly cost of assisted living. Seniors in Akron, for instance, pay $4,625 a month in average assisted living costs. This is significantly higher than the state average but is still below the $5,036 average seniors pay for assisted living in Toledo. Cincinnati has costs that run close to the state average at $4,245 a month, while assisted living in Columbus and Cleveland are significantly less expensive still. Assisted living in the former averages $3,945 a month, and in the latter, it averages $3,575.

  • Columbus: $3,945
  • Cleveland: $3,575
  • Cincinnati: $4,245
  • Akron: $4,625
  • Toledo: $5,036

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Ohio

Assisted living can be an affordable option for many seniors in Ohio. The average $4,339 seniors pay for board and care in an assisted living facility in the state is competitive with the cost of both in-home care and home health services, which cost an average of $4,290 and $4,385 a month, respectively. Seniors in Ohio pay an average of $6,996 a month for a semi-private room in skilled nursing care, while the average paid for adult day programs in the state is just $1,376 a month.

  • Assisted Living: $4,339
  • In-Home Care: $4,290
  • Home Health Care: $4,385
  • Adult Day Care: $1,376
  • Nursing Home Care: $6,996

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Ohio



Ohio Medicaid's Assisted Living Waiver


Address: Ohio Department of Aging 246 N. High St./1st Fl., Columbus, OH 43215-2406
Phone Number: 1-800-266-4346
Website: https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/residents/resources/assisted-living-waiver-program

Ohio's Assisted Living Waiver is a Home and Community-Based waiver program that pays the monthly cost of care in an assisted living facility. The waiver program is open to seniors in the state of Ohio who meet income and asset eligibility criteria for receiving Ohio Medicaid, have a qualifying disability or need help with at least two activities of daily living, and who are eligible for placement in a nursing care home. Medicaid eligibility in Ohio is open to seniors who meet the financial limits for the Aged, Blind and Disabled program. In 2020, the monthly income limit for a single senior applying for Medicaid alone is $783. Married couples who apply together can earn up to $1,175 a month and still qualify for Medicaid and the waiver program.

On approval of a senior's application, the waiver program begins paying monthly costs to the assisted living facility where a senior resides. Waiver funds can only be used for basic room and board. They cannot pay directly to the beneficiary or be used for extras, such as cable in the resident's room.

Ohio Residential State Supplement (RSS) Program


Address: 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3430
Phone Number: 1-877-275-6364
Website: https://mha.ohio.gov/Families-Children-and-Adults/For-Adults/Housing-Assistance/Residential-State-Supplement

RSS is an optional supplement for seniors who need financial assistance with the cost of senior care and live in an eligible senior living arrangement. Open to seniors in assisted living, as well as to home-based and skilled nursing home residents, the RSS program helps pay for many of the costs associated with assisted living. Examples of covered services include supervision from a case manager, help signing up for and moving into reasonable accommodations and financial aid for Seniors who meet the Federal Poverty Line guidelines for income and assets. The program also offers to directly pay qualified caregivers, who may be family, close friends or other loved ones.

Most of the monthly payment RSS offers seniors goes straight from payout to the assisted living facility of record. Funds may be used to cover board and care, but not extras or medical care costs. The program acts instead as a supplemental rent payment for many seniors. Seniors can check in with a program representative for more information or to apply for coverage. Participation in the RSS program automatically qualifies a beneficiary for Medicaid benefits.

Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefit

Phone Number: (844) 698-2311
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/

The Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance benefit is open to honorably discharged seniors who served in the military and need help paying some of the monthly cost of assisted living in Ohio. The program pays a maximum of $1,794 a month for single veterans applying for themselves, $1,153 for qualifying spouses and widows, or up to $2,127 for married couples applying jointly. Aid and Attendance offers services for seniors who are housebound or living in a nursing care home, but cash benefits are available for beneficiaries who permanently reside in an assisted living community.


Ohio Assisted Living Rules and Regulations



The Bureau of Regulatory Operations at the Ohio Department of Health licenses assisted living facilities throughout the state. Facilities that offer assisted living services in Ohio are required to maintain a current license and follow the department's rules for health and safety standards for residents. Licensed facilities in Ohio are subject to at least one inspection or survey on a rotating 9- to 15-month visitation cycle. The table below gives an overview of the rules and regulations governing assisted living facilities in Ohio.

Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities may admit adults with limited mobility or a need for caregiver help with two or more activities of daily living. Residents must not have medical needs in excess of what the facility can provide, with the exception of residents with hospice care who have visiting nursing services. Some assisted living facilities are licensed to set aside a special care unit to look after residents with Alzheimer's disease.

Care Plan Requirements

Every resident who enters an assisted living facility must have a plan of care included in their file on admission. Care plans are drafted in coordination with a licensed physician who may perform a pre-admission screening at the time of application.

Medication Management Requirements

Assisted living residents who are capable of safely self-administering medication may do so. Over-the-counter medications may be kept in residents' rooms, if they can be kept secure against other residents' access. Facilities may provide pharmacy services for residents, though medication must be stored and distributed from sealed pre-measured dose packages. Medication may be distributed by nursing staff or certified medication aides. Nonmedical staff may assist with the preparation of medications and log residents' consumption, as well as provide reminders.

Staff Screening Requirements

Assisted living staff who have contact with residents must pass a pre-employment criminal background check. New hires may be employed prior to the results of the check, provided a request for the results is submitted within five days of starting work.

Staff Training Requirements

Facilities are responsible for training new staff prior to the start of employment. All new employees who have contact with residents must be trained in emergency procedures, basics of senior care and facility operations.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid in Ohio does not directly pay for assisted living services. Seniors who qualify for Medicaid may use an assisted living waiver to cover monthly costs.

Reporting Abuse

Cases of suspected elder abuse in a residential care facility may be directed to local law enforcement, or by calling the Department of Health at 1-800-342-0553.


Free Assisted Living Resources in Ohio



Ohio's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman


The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman's office advocates for seniors in residential care facilities, sometimes stepping in and providing direct action in response to a complaint. Seniors who need to report conditions in inadequate, unsafe or otherwise unsatisfactory long-term care can ask for help from the office in relocating and reporting fraud or abuse. The Ombudsman's office does not directly regulate assisted living facilities in Ohio, though it does work with the Department of Health to ensure standards are maintained.

The office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is open to seniors who live in any type of residential care setting, including assisted living communities. Family, caregivers and other loved ones can also reach out to the office on behalf of a senior they care for. No income or other eligibility criteria are imposed on beneficiaries.

Contact: Call 1-800-282-1206 for more information.


Ohio Agencies


Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio

Ohio's Department of Aging operates 12 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state. These agencies work with state offices and private sector providers to help place seniors in state-licensed residential care facilities. AAA staff provide referrals to facilities and assist with applications for seniors who need help, as well as helping seniors find the programs they need to help pay for the continuing costs of care.

Veteran Affairs Offices in Ohio

Each of Ohio's 88 counties has an office of Veterans Affairs that can help eligible seniors get help finding and moving into an assisted living community nearby. VA resources include referrals to facilities and care services, pre-admission health screenings and cash assistance to help honorably discharged veterans and their qualifying spouses pay for assisted living care. A one-time tax-exempt cash payment may also be available for veterans who meet program criteria. Seniors can contact the department by phone at x1-614-644-0898, or by visiting a local office.

Social Security Offices in Ohio

The Social Security Administration maintains multiple offices throughout Ohio where seniors can get help signing up for benefit programs they may be eligible for. SSA staff can assist seniors with Medicare and Medicaid issues, Social Security and SSI/SSDI, as well as applying for an assisted living waiver for Medicaid-eligible adults. Seniors in Ohio can find a local office with the SSA's online locator tool.

 

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